The stereotype associated with older adults tells us we normally lose cognitive functions as we age, however, some cognitive skills remain preserved. Recognizing the normal changes in cognition will allow us to determine the mental status of our patients and further suggest how to adjust our communication and teaching style to best support the quality of our treatment with the geriatric population.
Objectives:
1. Learn how intelligence is affected with normal aging
2. Learn how memory is affected with normal aging
3. Learn how attention is affected with normal aging
4. Learn how language is affected with normal aging
5. Learn how reasoning and problem solving is affect with normal aging
6. Learn how speed of processing is affected with normal aging
Information about Normal Cognitive Changes with Aging
Intelligence:
Fluid intelligence is the capability to take on a novel problem and logically solve it without using past experiences to help guide you. It has been found that fluid intelligence declines as we age and the younger population has a higher capacity of fluid intelligence.
Crystallized intelligence is the capacity to use prior knowledge, experience, and skills. This type of intelligence remains relatively stable as we age and the older adults have been found to have higher levels of crystallized intelligence relative to the younger population.
Memory:
It has been found that long-term memory remains preserved in the older adult population, which is memory that has been stored over many years.
Short-term memory, however, seems to be more susceptible to age related changes. Deficits in short-term memory impair older adults in retrieving information they have just learned and affect the formation of new memories.
Interestingly, it has been found that high levels of stress have a negative impact on memory.
Attention:
One type of attention, selective attention, is thought to decline with aging. Selective attention is defined as being able to ignore distracting stimuli and focus on one task at a time. The performance on tasks that differentiate selective attention may be biased, however, because older adults generally have a slower processing of information which inhibited the performance of older adults compared to younger people.
Divided attention is significantly affected with aging and the older adults perform worse on activities that require them to multi-task, especially when the tasks are complex.
Sustained attention, which is defined as the ability to remain fixed on the environment for an extended period of time to observe minute changes, is relatively unchanged as we age.
Language:
Not many age-related changes were found regarding language, however, the speed of word retrieval seemed to be slowed compared to younger people. Vocabulary is unchanged in typical aging, but trying to remember names of people and objects is more difficult for older adults.
Reasoning and Problem Solving:
Problem solving is a complex skill that requires factors such as speed, memory and intelligence. With that in mind, problem solving takes longer time for an older adult than a younger person. The only thing that doesn’t change in the way older people problem solve is their traditional way of approaching a problem and methods of solving it.
Speed of Processing:
As mentioned in the previous sections, aging has an obvious effect on the quickness of motor and cognitive processing, so tasks may just take longer to complete.
Conclusion:
Functions preserved with aging: Crystallized intelligence, long-term memory, sustained attention, and vocabulary.
Functions that decline with aging: Fluid intelligence, short-term memory, selective and divided attention, problem solving, and speed of processing.
Suggestions for treatment:
One of the factors affecting cognitive function are emotional disorders and depression, so these need to be addressed before developing an effective intervention. Aerobic exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function and delay any regression of the brain’s ability to perform cognitive tasks. The amount of medication an older adult is taking should be evaluated, because some side effects cause drowsiness and mental dullness.
Key suggestions for the older adult to delay age related changes:
-Have a diet rich in antioxidants
-Remain a relaxed stay and minimize stress
-Maintain consistent exercise routine
-Have regular visits to the doctor to make sure your health is in good control
-Stay mentally sharp by playing brain games like crossword, word search, Sudoku, reading, playing cards
References:
1. Bonder, Bette R. Functional Performance in Older Adults. 3rd edition. Chapter 7: Mental Function. Page 180. Print.
2. Cognitive Skills and Normal Aging. Emory University. Alzheimer’s disease Research Center. 2015.
3. Deary, Ian J. Age-associated cognitive decline. Oxford Journals. British Medical Bulletin. Volume 92, Issue 1, 2009, Pages 135-152.
4. Glisky, Elizabeth L. Chapter 1: Changes in Cognitive Function in Human Aging. Brain Aging: Models, Methods, and Mechanisms. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2007. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK3885/
5. Horn, John L. Age differences in fluid and crystallized intelligence. Science Direct. Acta Psychologica. Volume 26, 1967, Pages 107-129.
6. Myers, Jane E. Evidence-Based Effective Practices with Older Adults. Journal of Counseling and Development. Spring 2004. Volume 82. Page 207-218.
The stereotype associated with older adults tells us we normally lose cognitive functions as we age, however, some cognitive skills remain preserved. Recognizing the normal changes in cognition will allow us to determine the mental status of our patients and further suggest how to adjust our communication and teaching style to best support the quality of our treatment with the geriatric population.
Objectives:
1. Learn how intelligence is affected with normal aging
2. Learn how memory is affected with normal aging
3. Learn how attention is affected with normal aging
4. Learn how language is affected with normal aging
5. Learn how reasoning and problem solving is affect with normal aging
6. Learn how speed of processing is affected with normal aging
Information about Normal Cognitive Changes with Aging
Intelligence:
Fluid intelligence is the capability to take on a novel problem and logically solve it without using past experiences to help guide you. It has been found that fluid intelligence declines as we age and the younger population has a higher capacity of fluid intelligence.
Crystallized intelligence is the capacity to use prior knowledge, experience, and skills. This type of intelligence remains relatively stable as we age and the older adults have been found to have higher levels of crystallized intelligence relative to the younger population.
Memory:
It has been found that long-term memory remains preserved in the older adult population, which is memory that has been stored over many years.
Short-term memory, however, seems to be more susceptible to age related changes. Deficits in short-term memory impair older adults in retrieving information they have just learned and affect the formation of new memories.
Interestingly, it has been found that high levels of stress have a negative impact on memory.
Attention:
One type of attention, selective attention, is thought to decline with aging. Selective attention is defined as being able to ignore distracting stimuli and focus on one task at a time. The performance on tasks that differentiate selective attention may be biased, however, because older adults generally have a slower processing of information which inhibited the performance of older adults compared to younger people.
Divided attention is significantly affected with aging and the older adults perform worse on activities that require them to multi-task, especially when the tasks are complex.
Sustained attention, which is defined as the ability to remain fixed on the environment for an extended period of time to observe minute changes, is relatively unchanged as we age.
Language:
Not many age-related changes were found regarding language, however, the speed of word retrieval seemed to be slowed compared to younger people. Vocabulary is unchanged in typical aging, but trying to remember names of people and objects is more difficult for older adults.
Reasoning and Problem Solving:
Problem solving is a complex skill that requires factors such as speed, memory and intelligence. With that in mind, problem solving takes longer time for an older adult than a younger person. The only thing that doesn’t change in the way older people problem solve is their traditional way of approaching a problem and methods of solving it.
Speed of Processing:
As mentioned in the previous sections, aging has an obvious effect on the quickness of motor and cognitive processing, so tasks may just take longer to complete.
Conclusion:
Functions preserved with aging: Crystallized intelligence, long-term memory, sustained attention, and vocabulary.
Functions that decline with aging: Fluid intelligence, short-term memory, selective and divided attention, problem solving, and speed of processing.
Suggestions for treatment:
One of the factors affecting cognitive function are emotional disorders and depression, so these need to be addressed before developing an effective intervention. Aerobic exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function and delay any regression of the brain’s ability to perform cognitive tasks. The amount of medication an older adult is taking should be evaluated, because some side effects cause drowsiness and mental dullness.
Key suggestions for the older adult to delay age related changes:
-Have a diet rich in antioxidants
-Remain a relaxed stay and minimize stress
-Maintain consistent exercise routine
-Have regular visits to the doctor to make sure your health is in good control
-Stay mentally sharp by playing brain games like crossword, word search, Sudoku, reading, playing cards
References:
1. Bonder, Bette R. Functional Performance in Older Adults. 3rd edition. Chapter 7: Mental Function. Page 180. Print.
2. Cognitive Skills and Normal Aging. Emory University. Alzheimer’s disease Research Center. 2015.
3. Deary, Ian J. Age-associated cognitive decline. Oxford Journals. British Medical Bulletin. Volume 92, Issue 1, 2009, Pages 135-152.
4. Glisky, Elizabeth L. Chapter 1: Changes in Cognitive Function in Human Aging. Brain Aging: Models, Methods, and Mechanisms. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2007. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK3885/
5. Horn, John L. Age differences in fluid and crystallized intelligence. Science Direct. Acta Psychologica. Volume 26, 1967, Pages 107-129.
6. Myers, Jane E. Evidence-Based Effective Practices with Older Adults. Journal of Counseling and Development. Spring 2004. Volume 82. Page 207-218.
Resources:
1. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/712095_3
2. http://www.lifeextension.com/Protocols/Neurological/Age-Related-Cognitive-Decline/Page-01
3. http://www.ccace.ed.ac.uk/about-us/what-we-do/what-is-cognitive-ageing
4. http://www.apa.org/research/action/memory-changes.aspx
5. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/06/health/06brody.html?_r=0
Most Recommended Resource:
6. http://www.helpguide.org/articles/memory/age-related-memory-loss.htm